24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness. (Colossians 1:24-25)
In context, the Apostle Paul is teaching the Christian about spiritual maturity. Yesterday, we considered the first step involved in this process: the first step is a change in orientation..
Whereas, we were separated from God, through Christ we have been reunited to God. Today, we will consider the next step involved in this process.
The second step involved in this pathway toward spiritual maturity is having a mindset of a servant. The mentality of a servant is fostered in the context of finding it a delight and a joy to be included by God in His work in this world.
Most American Christians think God works for them. Thus, their greatest desire is not what they can do for God, but what God will do for them. This is why the Apostle writes in v.24, "I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church."
Notice that phrase in v.24 "...what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions." The word "afflictions" is never used in the scriptures to describe the death of Jesus, therefore Paul is not speaking here of Jesus' work on the cross. There is nothing lacking in what he did on the cross.
Given that the believer has an ongoing civil war within between the Spirit of God and the flesh (the sinful desires with us), in order to move closer to spiritual maturity, we must choose to feed the Spirit. And, when we do so, we will embrace the posture of a servant.
The question is: what does the Spirit of God feed on? You will remember that in John 4, Jesus' disciples ask Him to eat. Jesus response was quite instructive: He said, “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” The Spirit of God feeds on doing God's will. And, the will of God is clearly spelled out in His word.
Finally, you probably are wondering what the link is between the first and second steps involved in becoming more spiritually mature. As we see what God has done on our behalf in reconciling us to Himself, we increasingly are going to be defined by Him. As a result, we will increasingly embrace His value system. Thus, we will not be dependent upon others' acceptance. It is at this point that we will embrace being the servant of God who is defined more and more by his master.
"God uses those who are weak and feeble enough to depend upon Him."
